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Seminarian Mark Paver of the Archdiocese of New York, second from right, hugs a teammate after scoring the first goal as the Pontifical North American College competes against Mater Ecclesiae in a semi-final match in the Clericus Cup tournament in Rome April 28. The U.S. team won the game 2-0, advancing to the final against the Pontifical Gregorian University. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

ROME — The Pontifical North American College is heading to the Clericus Cup soccer finals after a 2-0 win against the Mater Ecclesiae seminary on Saturday.

The May 12 final playoff will be the third for the NAC Martyrs, who have yet to win the coveted clerical hat- and cleat-wearing soccer ball trophy. The NAC finished second in 2009 and 2010, and third in 2008.

At the Saturday game, British-born Mark Paver of the Archdiocese of New York was the first to score after just 11′ of play.

Deacon David Santos of the Archdiocese of Newark manned the goal and kept the opposing team from getting anything past the net. Bomber, Scottie Gratton of the Diocese of Burlington nabbed the NAC’s second goal securing the win.

They’ll be facing the Pontifical Gregorian University, which won the cup last year.